Aldie Colored

ALDIE Bowmantown, Stewartown, Back in the Hollow) and Bull Run (see also Bull Run)

Re-edited 8/15/2023, 8/28/2023.

 

Opening and Closing

  • 1890. History Matters in 2004 reported that the original building was constructed in 1890. Perhaps 1890 was actually the date the land was purchased. * Source: History Matters Staff. (2004). Loudoun County African-American Historical Architectural Resources Survey. Leesburg: Balch Library and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. pp 38/39. * See Bull Run For Photos and more details.
  • 1898. Original Schoolhouse burned down.
  • 1909. The former Bull Run School, now a store house, was erected in 1909 as a replacement for the 1890 building. It was also named Bull Run School after its location on the east slope of Bull Run Mountain. Current address: 23965 New Mountain Road, Bowmantown. Source: History Matters Staff. (2004). Loudoun County African-American Historical Architectural Resources Survey. Leesburg: Balch Library and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. pp 38/39. * See Bull Run For Photos and more details.

Physical and Map Location

23965 New Mountain Road, Bowmantown. Location of 1909 replacement, now known as Bull Run.

We are not certain of the precise physical location of the first Aldie Colored School (1890), though likely the same as the contemporary structure, which as of 2023 was being used a shed. In the vicinity of the post office of Aldie, perhaps in the related “black settlements” of Bowmantown, Stewartown, or Back in the Hollow.*

Petitions

Transportation

History

In the Black History Committee's (BHC) “African American Communities of Loudoun County,” written by Deborah A. Lee, we learn “Although few black people lived in Aldie itself, the surrounding area included the black settlements of Bowmantown and Stewartown on the south side and Back-in-the-Hollow on the north. Many of the women belonged to the Housekeepers' Club, founded in 1914. Members met monthly in one another's homes to enjoy fellowship, food, guest speakers, and workshops. At a summertime meeting, for instance, women brought fresh flowers from their gardens and learned floral-arranging from a professional. They also stitched baby clothes for expectant mothers, and women who didn't know how to sew could learn. The club still meets, with some members now traveling a long distance.*

Instructors

  • 1892/93: Simon P. Fisher, Grade of Certificate 3rd. Source: Lists of Teachers, 1892-1975 1892 (1893 Colored A Census of Colored Teachers for the School Year closing July 31, 1893), Richmond, Virginia, USA: Virginia Department of Public Instruction/Education*
  • 1893/94 Academic Year: Armistead R. Smith of Middleburg was a colored instructor at Aldie. Source: Lists of Teachers, 1892-1975 ( Census of Colored Teachers 1893-94 – March 30, 1894), Richmond, Virginia, USA: Virginia Department of Public Instruction/Education.*
  • 1894/95: Mr. Harvey Johnson from Aldie instructed in Aldie on a second grade certificate. Source: Lists of Teachers, 1892-1975 ( Census of Colored Teachers 1894-95 – Done Dec 10, 1894), Richmond, Virginia, USA: Virginia Department of Public Instruction/Education.*
  • 1895/96: Harvey Johnson was still the instructor. Source: Lists of Teachers, 1892-1975 (Census of Colored Teachers 1895-96 – Done Dec 15, 1895), Richmond, Virginia, USA: Virginia Department of Public Instruction/Education. *
  • 1896/97. Mr. Johnson was still the instructor. Source: Lists of Teachers, 1892-1975 (Census of Colored Teachers 1896-97 – Done Dec 15, 1896), Richmond, Virginia, USA: Virginia Department of Public Instruction/Education

Insurance and Physical Description

1890/1891The original schoolhouse appears to have been constructed as a one room frame building for $500. Source: Report of Survey Committee on Long Range Planning for Loudoun County, Jan, 1940. Location: Edwin Washington Archives folder 2.2 County School Board, 1918-1952.

The 1909 replacement for the 1890 building was a typical one-room frame, front-gable schoolhouse. It was also named Bull Run School after its location on the east slope of Bull Run Mountain. See Bull Run for more details.

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